Asad Shah’s murder has shocked all

The Archbishop of Glasgow said it is vital ‘the example of friendship’ set by murdered shopkeeper Asad Shah is his true legacy.

Mr Shah (above), a Muslim, was killed outside his Shawlands store on the evening of Holy Thursday, just hours after he posted a Facebook status wishing Christians a ‘Happy Easter.’

A 32-year-old Muslim man—Tanveer Ahmed from Bradford—has been arrested in connection with Mr Shah’s death and appeared in Court on Tuesday afternoon.

Archbishop Philip Tartaglia said ‘the murder of Mr Shah has shocked everyone’ in the archdiocese.

“The outpourings of sympathy following his death are a tribute to him—they have come from Christians, Muslims, people of other faith traditions and those of no faith,” the archbishop said.

“It is vital that his example of friendship, peace and brotherhood prevails.”

Mgr Paul Murray, parish priest at St Helen’s parish, Langside, which is only 300m from where Mr Shah’s body was found, said parishioners were ‘shocked and saddened.’

“He was very well known for being friendly, so people have been very affected by [his murder,]” Mgr Murray said. “A lot of parishioners were at the vigils at the weekend and we included him in our prayers as well.”

Police Scotland confirmed the killing was being treated as ‘religiously motivated and that ‘additional patrols and police visibility have been arranged to help reassure at this difficult time.’

A Gofundme page was created following the incident by some of Mr Shah’s customers to raise funds for his family. Posts on the page describe Mr Shah as a ‘popular, well-respected and much-loved’ member of the community.

—ian@sconews.co.uk

—This story ran in full in the April 1 edition print of the SCO, available in parishes.